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3 Mistakes You're Making With Your AC System

15 August 2018

Alide Oortwijn

Your home's air conditioning system keeps you and your family comfortable during the warm seasons, but it also maintains a healthy indoor air quality. Unfortunately, improper use and insufficient maintenance can affect the AC system's ability to cool your home in an effective and energy-efficient manner. Help is available using this guide on mistakes to avoid when using and maintaining your AC system.

Not Replacing Filters

During the creation and movement of cooled air, dirt, dust, and allergens are also moved through the ductwork and into the vents that allow the air to flow into your home.

Before the conditioned air moves through your vents, a filter traps in dirt, dust, and allergens. This filter prevents this debris and the allergens from affecting your indoor air quality, which is beneficial if you or a family member suffers from allergies. However, the trapping of dirt and dust over time can affect the system's ability to cool if you do not change your filters regularly.

If the filters are clogged with dirt and dust, air will not be able to move through into your home, which prevents the air from reaching your set temperature. This causes your system to run longer and harder to condition your air, which places excess stress on the system while using more energy.

To ensure cooled air moves into your home effectively and efficiently, make sure to replace your filters every month or two.

Cooling Rooms Unnecessarily

Many homeowners also cool rooms that do not necessarily need to be cooled. This wastes energy, but it will also waste money, since you are paying to air condition rooms unnecessarily.

Move around your home and enter rooms that are not used frequently, such as formal dining rooms, conditioned storage spaces, and guest bedrooms and bathrooms. Close the vents in these rooms to ensure cooled air does not wastefully enter the space.

Also, close all closet doors in your home. Although closets do not have their own vents, opened doors allow conditioned air inside, which is not necessary.

Not Programming a Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is one of the easiest ways you can improve the function and energy efficiency of your air conditioning system.

You may think adjusting your thermostat before leaving the house is smart, which it is, but most people do not remember to make this adjustment before leaving. This results in cooling your home when not absolutely necessary, placing extra stress on your system while using energy that is wasteful and costly.

Install a programmable thermostat and set the temperature at a higher point during the day when you and other family members are not home.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can cool your home without waste. For more information, contact local air conditioning services.

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